2008/2009 Standing:
Los Angeles Lakers: 65-17 (Won NBA Finals)
Let start with the reigning world champs. To the amature eye, not alot has changed within this
ballclub: Number 24 will still be keeping our eyebrows raised to the sky and our jaws drop to the
ground with his HOF play; the ambidextrous Pau Gasol will continue to make fools out of, well, everyone within the Memphis Grizzlies organization; Andrew Bynum will help Dwight Howard pave the way for the new era of NBA Centers, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and company will give LA the perfect, unselfish role players every championship team requires. Despite the deep talent this team already had, the LA front office signed Artest to a 5 Year, $33 million dollar deal. This deal made Trevor Ariza irrelevant, shipping him to the Houston Rockets. Though this move looks like a steal on paper, the defending champs deffiently put themselves in a more difficult situation. Like any championship team, the Lakers had the perfect balance between stars and role players. Trevor Ariza made the leap last year from just another youngter riding the pine to one of the most useful players on a great squad. Though no one can prove just yet whether that was right move, one thing is certain: This Laker team comes into the NBA season with more unpredictability than any of the other 29 franchises...
Move to look for:
Swiping Ariza for Artest for a risky move for a team on the top. While the difference in talent seems appealing, you really need to look past the numbers and into the system. All through the playoffs Trevor Ariza stepped up when he was needed, making the plays we as fans did and did not notice. Most importantly he knew his role on both sides of the court, a crucial factor when playing on a team with the Lakers offensive talent. In his prime Ron Artest has never had to take the backseat to a pair of superstars, even last year Tracy McGrady's and Yao Ming's injuries throughout the season made Artest the leading man. Kobe Bryant is Los Angeles Basketball, and any distraction big or small by Artest wont be without much turmoil. That being said, if there is one coach in this league who can be a median for this potential clash, it is the Zen Master.
Team Need:
Perimeter Scorer. While yes, Kobe Bryant is one of the most gifted scorers from the wing in the history of basketball, it would not hurt for LA to start looking towards the future. Though Kobe has been practically the poster boy for durability, he'll be 31 in a few days, not to mention this October will be his 14th year in the L. It will only be a matter of time until those 95-100 games at 40 minutes a night will slow his body. With promising young players like Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, and the hopefully healthy Adam "Dirt" Morrison, this will be a team that can live beyond the last playing days of number 24.
Projected Starting Lineups:
PG - Derek Fisher
- A winner who performs in the clutch, smart player at both ends of the floor. A true leader.
SG - Kobe Bryant
- Finals MVP is as complete of a player as there has been. Showed everyone last spring what it takes to be a champion.
SF - Ron Artest
- Perhaps the most interesting and unpredictable pickup this summer. Can his tremendous defense compensate for his lackluster attitude? I guess we'll find out.
PF - Pau Gasol
- The X-Factor on this team. Has elite talent on both sides of the court.
C - Andrew Bynum
- One of the brightest young centers, and players, for that manner, in the league. It seems injuries are the only thing stopping this 22 year old giant.
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